He said: "After speaking to local residents we knew there were two people inside. One of them was on the phone to our control room saying they were inside, and we could see another casualty.

"Firefighters had to sift through the debris, obviously being careful - there was still most likely a gas leak and the property was insecure...They were physically trapped. One had to be lifted down from the first floor on the ladder on a longboard."

Tattoo artist Jason Slater, 42, was at corner of the street when the blast happened.

Image:A man and a woman were trapped under rubble by the Blackpool gas explosion. Pic: @RathangUK

He told the Blackpool Gazette: "I just saw the front of the building go completely out. Parts of the building just disappeared into the street and I went over to see what was going on.

"I asked if anyone was in there - I yelled out and then I heard someone. The guy was saying: 'I'm still here. I'm still here'."

Firefighters left the scene of the explosion at 2am this morning after a scent dog completed a search of the property. Nothing was detected.